Behind Closed Doors

Five

"You don't realize how messed up someone's treatment of you was, until you try explaining it to others." - E S

Charlie took a deep breath, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Nick was looking at Charlie as if he was scared he'd run away any second.

"Are you alright?" Nick asked softly, he knew the answer was no but he still felt the need to ask. Charlie shook his head no, "No...I-I think my nose is broken." He managed to say through the pain.

Awh rushed into the back room once there were no customers in the cafe to attend to. "Shit, Okay I need to stay here to finish the shift but do you feel comfortable going to the ER with him? If he doesn't mind and isn't busy-" She rambled, meaning Nick.

"I'm Nick," Nick told her, "And I don't mind, I got nothing this afternoon."

Charlie sighed shakily, "O-Okay yeah, I'll go. Thank you." He told Nick quietly.

Nick got up, gathering his stuff and Nellie's lease leading Charlie to his car. "Uh, Sorry about the dog hair." He said as he opened the door to let Nellie in the back seat first. Then he opened the passenger door for Charlie. "I don't have any napkins for your nose but I do have a shirt." He rambled and handed it to Charlie.

"Thank you, sorry." Charlie stammered as he held the shirt to his nose. "No need to apologize," Nick assured as he drove.

Charlie sunk into his seat, "I hate that I'm dragging you into this. You already have enough to deal with...Y-You has a service dog." He rambled.

Nick looked at Charlie as he stopped at a red light. "You're not dragging me into this. I offered and want to help."

"Why are you so perfect?" Charlie mumbled to himself, not meaning to say it out loud.

Nick couldn't help but blush, "I'm not but thank you." He pulled up to the ER and got out of the car, still holding the shirt to his nose.

Nick got Nellie out of the car and led Charlie into the hospital. After sitting in the waiting room for about an hour they were finally called into an exam room. Nellie stuck close to Nick's side, unsure of how Nick was doing in this type of environment.

Nick squeezed Nellie's lease, he did feel a bit anxious but that didn't matter at the moment...

Charlie did.

"So how did this happen?" The nurse wondered as she began to check over Charlie's nose.

"Oh uh..." Charlie stuttered, his chest ached with anxiety. He was unsure if he should tell the truth or not. "Tell her," Nick urged, he knew Charlie deserved better than Ben, this would help get him out of that toxic relationship.

"My uhm..." Charlie fiddled with his hands to help his nerves, "My boyfriend punched me..." He whispered.

The nurse had worried eyes, "Do you want to file a restraining order?" She asked as she put an ice pack on Charlie's nose.

"Yes, I do but that would be a bit hard since I live with him at the moment."

"Do you have another place to go? We will set up a cop to come with you to get your stuff...To make sure you get out safe." The nurse assured.

Charlie chewed his lip, "I can ask my sister she lives pretty close to where I work...I just don't have a way to get to her place. My boyfriend, well m-my ex had me sell my car so we had enough for rent." He felt so embarrassed he could cry.

Nick rubbed Charlie's knee gently, trying to comfort him the best he could. "I can drive you." He guaranteed.

"Thank you so much...I-I'll give you gas money." Charlie tried to say, he was so grateful to have met Nick.

The nurse told Charlie to breathe before she reset his nose. Charlie cried out in pain and squeezed Nick's hand, hoping he didn't make Nick uncomfortable. Nick rubbed Charlie's knuckles gently, to assure that it was okay.

The nurse wrapped Charlie's nose up. "Alright, you are all set to go. We will call a cop down to your apartment sometime this week to get your stuff."

"Sometime this week?! He needs to be safe...now. Charlie, why don't you stay with me till then? I know I'm just next door but at least it will keep you safe." Nick rambled.

Charlie squeezed Nick's hand, "Yes. If you don't mind." He let out a giggle as Nellie licked his hand.

Nick didn't know how much this meant to him. He was saving him...

Nick was his knight in shining armor.

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A/N: First chapter of 2024!
Thank you, guys, so much for your support of my stories, it means the world to me. Xx
Let me know what you think of this chapter, I hope it wasn't too boring! Hopefully, the next one will be longer too I got some ideas for this story coming up :)